Process for preparing pesticidal intermediates

ABSTRACT

A process for preparing pesticides or pesticidal intermediates, particularly 5-amino-1 aryl-3-cyanopyrazoles, having the formula 
                 
 
said process comprising reacting a compound having the formula 
                 
 
with a cyanide salt.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/890,653, filed Nov. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,944, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and relied upon, which is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP00/01101, filed Feb. 1, 2000, and published in English on Aug. 10, 2000 under Publication No. WO 00/46210.

This invention relates to novel processes for preparing pesticides or pesticidal intermediates (particularly 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole derivatives).

European Patent Publication Nos. 0295117 and 0234119 describe the preparation of pesticidally active phenylpyrazole compounds and of 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole intermediate compounds used in their synthesis.

Various methods for preparing these compounds are known. The present invention seeks to provide improved or more economical methods for the preparation of pesticides and the intermediate compounds useful in preparing them.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a convenient process for preparing pesticidally active phenylpyrazole compounds or 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole pesticidal intermediates, which are obtained in high yield and high purity.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a convenient process for preparing pesticidally active phenylpyrazole compounds or 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole pesticidal intermediates, which proceeds without the need for a diazotization step and hence avoids problems such as hazards known to occur for such reactions.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a process for preparing pesticidally active phenylpyrazole compounds or 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole pesticidal intermediates, which is simple to perform and uses less expensive starting materials than known methods.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide novel intermediates in the manufacture of pesticidally active compounds.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, and are achieved in whole or in part by the present invention.

The present invention accordingly provides a process (A) for the preparation of a compound of formula (I):

wherein W represents nitrogen or —CR⁴;

R¹ represents halogen, haloalkyl (preferably trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (preferably trifluoromethoxy), R⁵S(O)_(n)—, or —SF₅;

R² represents hydrogen or halogen (for example chlorine or bromine);

R³ represents hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—;

R⁴ represents halogen (for example chlorine or bromine);

R⁵ and R⁶ represent alkyl or haloalkyl; and

m and n represent 0, 1 or 2; which process comprises the reaction of a compound of formula (II):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and W are as hereinabefore defined, R⁷ represents a leaving group (preferably chlorine or bromine) and R⁸ represents chlorine or bromine (preferably R⁷ and R⁸ each represent chlorine), with a cyanide salt. The reaction proceeds via dicyano intermediates of formula (III):

wherein R¹, R², R³ and W are as hereinbefore defined, which generally cyclize under the conditions of the reaction, thus providing a simple and convenient process. Optionally the intermediates of formula (III) may be cyclized in the presence of base according to known methods. Compounds of formula (II) and (III) may exist as a mixture of syn and anti isomers.

Unless otherwise specified in the present specification ‘alkyl’ means straight- or branched-chain alkyl having from one to six carbon atoms (preferably one to three). Unless otherwise specified ‘haloalkyl’ and ‘haloalkoxy’ are straight- or branched-chain alkyl or alkoxy respectively having from one to six carbon atoms (preferably one to three) substituted by one or more halogen atoms selected from fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

Suitable cyanide salts for the above reaction to form compounds of formula (I) include alkali metal cyanides such as potassium, sodium or lithium cyanide, alkaline earth metal cyanides or ammonium cyanide. Potassium cyanide or sodium cyanide are preferred. The reaction is generally conducted in a solvent. Solvents suitable for use include nitrites such as acetonitrile, amides such as N-methylpyrrolidinone, sulfoxides such as dimethylsulfoxide, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or alcohols such as ethanol. Water may be employed as a co-solvent. The reaction temperature is generally from about −20° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent, and preferably from about 0° C. to about 20° C.

Generally from two to 5 molar equivalents of cyanide and preferably from about two to about three equivalents are employed.

In formulae (I), (II) and (III) and in the formulae depicted hereinafter, preferred values of the symbols are as follows:

R¹ represents haloalkyl (preferably trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (preferably trifluoromethoxy) or —SF₅;

W represents —CR⁴;

R² and R⁴ represent halogen (preferably chlorine);

R³ represents a hydrogen atom, or R⁶S(O)_(m)—;

wherein R⁶ represents optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl (preferably trifluoromethyl); and R⁷ and R⁸ represents chlorine.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I) include:

-   5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyrazole; -   5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylthiopyrazole; -   5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole;     and -   5     amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-ethylsulfinylpyrazole.

The process is particularly useful for preparing compounds in which R³ represents hydrogen, and most preferably for 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyrazole.

In formulae (II) and (III) and in the formulae depicted hereinafter, the most preferred values of the symbols are as follows:

R¹ represents trifluoromethyl;

W represents —CR⁴;

R², R⁴, R⁷ and R⁸ represent chlorine; and

R³ represents hydrogen.

According to a further feature of the present invention the above process (A) can be combined with additional process steps (B) and (C) as defined hereinbelow.

Process step (B) comprises the reaction of a compound of formula (IV):

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁷ and W are as hereinbefore defined, with a chlorinating or brominating agent; to give a compound of formula (II) wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁷ and R⁸ and W are as hereinbefore defined.

Suitable chlorinating agents are thionyl chloride, phosphoryl chloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride or a mixture of triphenylphosphine and carbon tetrachloride. Brominating agents which may be used include thionyl bromide, phosphoryl bromide or a mixture of triphenylphosphine and carbon tetrabromide. Preferably the process is performed using a chlorinating agent. A preferred chlorinating agent is phosphoryl chloride.

Solvents which may be used include ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene, or halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloroethane.

The reaction temperature is generally from 0° C. to 120° C., preferably from 70° C. to 90° C.

Process step (C) comprises the reaction of an arylhydrazine compound of formula (V):

wherein R¹, R² and W are as hereinbefore defined; with a compound of formula (VI): R³R⁷CHCOR⁹  (VI)

wherein R³ and R⁷ are as defined above, and R⁹ represents a leaving group preferably a chlorine or bromine atom (generally both R⁷ and R⁹ represent a chlorine atom); to give a compound of formula (IV) as defined above. The reaction to obtain compounds of formula (IV) is generally performed in a solvent such as halogenated hydrocarbons for example dichloroethane, ethers for example tetrahydrofuran or dioxan, or N,N-dialkylamides for example N,N-dimethylformamide, and at a temperature of from −20° C. to 50° C., preferably from 0 to 20° C.

The above combination of process step (A), preceded by process step (B), preceded by process step (C), represents in certain aspects an improvement over the prior art.

Compounds of formula (II) and (IV) above are novel and therefore constitute a further feature of the present invention.

Where R³ is other than hydrogen, compounds of formula (III) are novel.

Compounds of formula (VI) are known.

The intermediate 5-amino-1-aryl-3-cyanopyrazole compounds of formula (I) obtained by the process (A) of the invention wherein R³ represents hydrogen, may be used in the preparation of pesticidally active phenylpyrazole derivatives of formula (VII) according to the following reaction scheme:

wherein the symbols used above are as hereinbefore defined.

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention. NMR spectra are recorded using deuterochloroform as solvent.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-cyanopyrazole

A solution of N′-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-chloroacetohydrazonoyl chloride (1.1 g) in ethanol (6 ml) was added during 25 minutes to a stirred solution of sodium cyanide (0.475 g) in ethanol (6 ml) and water (6 ml). The temperature rose to 32° C. After 15 minutes an addition of ethanol (4.5 ml) and water (3 ml) was made and stirred for 15 minutes at 20° C. A further addition of water (3 ml) was made and the mixture filtered. The residue was dissolved in ethanol, concentrated and purified by chromatography on silica gel eluting with dichloromethane to give the title compound (0.55 g), obtained in 53% yield.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of N′-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-chloroacetohydrazonoyl Chloride

Phosphoryl chloride (500 microliters, 1.7 equivalents) was added in one portion to a stirred solution of N′-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-chloroacetohydrazide (1.0 g, 3.11 mmol) in toluene (20 ml) and heated at 70° C. under an argon atmosphere for 20 hours. The cooled mixture was evaporated and the residue extracted with cyclohexane. The extracts were combined and evaporated to give the title compound (0.971 g) as an orange oil, NMR 4.4(s,2H), 7.55(s,2H), 7.7(s,1H). The yield was 90%.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of N′-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-chloroacetohydrazide

A solution of chloroacetyl chloride (2.3 ml, 1.08 equivalents) in anhydrous dichloromethane (30 ml) was added during 30 minutes to a stirred solution of 2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenylhydrazine (6.1 g, 24.89 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (60 ml) maintaining between 5 and 12° C. under an argon atmosphere. The mixture was then stirred for 5-12 hours at 20° C. A solution of sodium hydroxide (11.2 ml of 10%) and dichloromethane were added and the organic phase washed (water), dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated to give the title compound (7.25 g) as a white solid, NMR 4.05(s,2H), 6.77(s,1H), 7.47(s,2H), 8.6(s,1H). The yield was 91%. 

1. A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula:

wherein: W is —CR⁴; R¹ is halogen, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, R⁵S(O)_(n)— or —SF₅; R² is hydrogen or halogen; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁴ is halogen; each of R⁵ and R⁶ is alkyl or haloalkyl; and each of m and n is 0, 1 or 2; said process comprising reacting a compound having the formula:

wherein R¹, R², R³ and W are as defined above, R⁷ is a leaving group and R⁸ is chlorine or bromine, with a cyanide salt.
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the cyanide salt is an alkali metal cyanide, an alkaline earth metal cyanide or ammonium cyanide.
 3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the cyanide salt is potassium cyanide or sodium cyanide.
 4. A process according to claim 1, which is conducted in a solvent selected from the group consisting of nitriles, amides, sulfoxides, ethers and alcohols, optionally in the presence of water.
 5. A process according to claim 4, wherein the solvent comprises acetonitrile, N-methylpyrrolidinone, dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran or ethanol.
 6. A process according to claim 2, which is conducted in a solvent selected from the group consisting of nitriles, amides, sulfoxides, ethers and alcohols, optionally in the presence of water.
 7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the solvent comprises acetonitrile, N-methylpyrrolidinone, dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran or ethanol.
 8. A process according to claim 1, wherein from 2 to 5 molar equivalents of cyanide are employed.
 9. A process according to claim 2, wherein from 2 to 5 molar equivalents of cyanide are employed.
 10. A process according to claim 4, wherein from 2 to 5 molar equivalents of cyanide are employed.
 11. A process according to claim 6, wherein from 2 to 5 molar equivalents of cyanide are employed.
 12. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction temperature is from about −20° C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent.
 13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the reaction temperature is from about 0° C. to about 20° C.
 14. A process according to claim 1, wherein R⁷ is chlorine or bromine.
 15. A process according to claim 2, wherein R⁷ is chlorine or bromine.
 16. A process according to claim 9, wherein R⁷ is chlorine or bromine.
 17. A process according to claim 1, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —SF₅; each of R² and R⁴ is chlorine or bromine; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁶ is optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl; and each of R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine.
 18. A process according to claim 2, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —SF₅; each of R² and R⁴ is chlorine or bromine; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁶ is optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl; and each of R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine.
 19. A process according to claim 4, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —SF₅; each of R² and R⁴ is chlorine or bromine; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁶ is optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl; and each of R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine.
 20. A process according to claim 6, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —SF₅; each of R² and R⁴ is chlorine or bromine; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁶ is optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl; and each of R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine.
 21. A process according to claim 8, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or —SF₅; each of R² and R⁴ is chlorine or bromine; R³ is hydrogen or R⁶S(O)_(m)—; R⁶ is optionally halogenated methyl or ethyl; and each of R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine.
 22. A process according to claim 17, wherein: R¹ is trifluoromethyl; each of R², R⁴, R⁷ and R⁸ is chlorine; and R³ is hydrogen.
 23. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) is: 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyrazole; 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylthiopyrazole; 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole; or 5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-ethylsulfinylpyrazole.
 24. A process according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate having the formula:

wherein R¹, R², R³ and W are as defined in claim 1, which is formed in the course of the reaction, cyclizes under the conditions of the reaction to afford the corresponding compound of formula (I).
 25. A process according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate having the formula:

wherein R¹, R², R³ and W are as defined in claim 1, which is formed in the course of the reaction, is cyclized in the presence of base to afford the corresponding compound of formula (I). 